Eugenia Urrutia

A Chilean environmentalist who pioneered conservation efforts in Latin America and influenced global ecological policies.

Eugenia Urrutia (1910–1990) was a visionary environmentalist whose work laid the foundation for Chile’s modern conservation movement. Born in Santiago, she studied botany and became alarmed by the rapid deforestation and pollution in her country. In 1940, she co-founded the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), which implemented reforestation projects and protected vulnerable ecosystems like the Valdivian rainforests. Her advocacy led to the creation of Chile’s first national parks, including the Torres del Paine National Park. During the 1960s, she collaborated with international organizations like UNESCO to promote sustainable development in Latin America. Urrutia also authored influential reports on biodiversity, such as "Chile’s Forests: A Call for Conservation", which pressured governments to adopt stricter environmental laws. Her legacy is celebrated in the Wikipedia entry and the documentary "Green Fire: The Legacy of Aldo Leopold and Latin America’s Ecoactivists". Despite her contributions, she remained a modest figure, often overshadowed by male counterparts in environmental circles.